Railroad-switch stand



(No Model.)

W. C. MEEKER 8c T. R. BROWN.`

RAILROAD SWITCH STAND.

l Patented June 14, 1887.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE..

WALTER o. MEEKEE AND THOMAS E. EEOWN, OE JERSEY orrY, NEW

JERSEY. y

RAILROAD-SWITCH STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part *of Letters Patent No. 364,222, dated June 14, 1887. Application meanecember 29, isst. seriaiNaeeee. (Nummer) 'new and useful Improvements in Railroad- Switch Stands, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to what are generally known as automatic railroad-switch stands,77 which are especially designed to be used with what are commonly termed split7 or pointed77 switches, for the purpose of permitting a locomotive or train to automatically operate the stand, and thus set the switch right when trailing the points, in case the switch has been previously set wrong.

Theconstruction and operation of this stand will be readily comprehendedby reference to the specification and drawings.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View showing position of ,the several parts of the stand and their relation to each other when locked 'and ready to be operated automatically. Fig.

2 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 on line x. Fig. 3 is a sectional View of upper part of stand, showing position of lockinglever when in position to be operated by hand. Fig. 4 is la plan ot' top or head of loose sleeve, showing recesses for the reception of the locking-lever.4

Fig. Sis a plan View of operating-lever detached.

Referring by letters and numbers to the accompanying drawings, the body or frame A A is formed in two parts, bolted together at the top, as shown in Fig.v 6, and both secured to a wrought-iron or steel basepicce, D. The stand is provided with a main shaft, B, to which are secured the crank 1 and cap-or hub 2. Said shaft B passes through and journals in the hollow shaft or loose sleeve C, and is continued above the body of stand to receive a target or signal.- (Not shown.)

The hollow shaft C isjournaled in the main body of the stand, and one end terminates in the head 8, whichis provided with notches or `recesses 4 to receive the locking-lever 5. On

the said hollow shaft() is also formed the cam 6, against which rests the spring-compressor 7, the outer end of which is formed with a suitable bevel or incline to operate against the second spring-compressor,8, which is also formed at its lower end with a bevel or incline to correspond with compressor 7. In the lower end of spring-compressor 8 is placed the antifric tion roller 9, although the two bevel surfaces would operate against each other and perform the same functions withou-t said roller.

The spring-pocket is formed parallel with the main body of stand, and although shown in drawings as forming part of the main body of stand, yet it may be formed separately and screwed into or otherwise secured to the stand, and is so arranged that the spring E may be put in and removed at pleasure by simply removing the cap 10, thus enabling us to put in such spring or springs as are required for the work vto be performed, and obviates the necessity of taking the stand apartA when the spring is put in place.

We do not desire lto claim or specify any v particular plan for scouring the cap 10 to the spring-chamber, as any of the well-known devices for securing same may be used.

In the present switch-stands it is necessary y to insert the spring when the stand is being put together, so when a change of spring is required the stand has to be taken apart,

whereas by this method the stands can be manufactured complete without the spring, and a spring inserted to suit the work required. The tension of the spring may be regulated by a set-screw, 11. f y

The crank 1 is provided with a crank-pin, 12, which rotates in the same, one end of which forms an eyev through which the switch-connecting rod 13 p asses, and is secured thereto `by adjusting-nuts 14.

Y The advantage in the use of the adjustable connecting-rod is that the stand may be placed in approximate position and the bar adjusted to the distance after the stand is secured to the tie.

In cases where the stand has a greater throw rthan the switch,locknnts may be placed on IOO the bar 13, leaving such space between the crank-pin 12 and the nuts 14 as will equalize the throw of the stand and the switch, as shown in Fig. 7.

The cap 2 is secured to the shaftB by means of the key 15 or other suitable device, in which are pivoted the operating-lever 16 and locking-lever 5.

The operating-lever 16 is provided with teeth on the periphery of the hub, whichjnesh into corresponding teeth on the locking-lever 5, so that when the lever 16 is raised to position shown in Fig. 3 the locking-lever 5 is lifted out of the recess 4, in the head 3, thus permitting the stand to be operated by hand.

The locking-lever 5 is also provided with a loop end, 1S, which passes through a slot, 19, in lever 16, to which the said lever 16 is secured by means ofapadloel ,as shown in Fig.1.

The operation of the stand is as follows: The stand being connected to the switch by means of the eonnecting-bar 13, to throw the switch by hand it is simply necessary to raise the lever 16 to position shown in Fig. 3, which operation will lift the locking-lever 5 out of recess 4,and thus sever all connection between the switch and spring. Then rotate said lever 16 to the next quarter of the circle, when the locking-lever 5 will be over the next recess 4, and will enter it as soon as the said lever is lowered, and will then be ready to work antomatically.

The automatic operation of the stand is as follows: The lever 16 being locked down, as shown in Fig. 1, a train passing through the switch, (trailing the points) if set wrong, will open the points, move the connecting-bar 13, and crank 1 thus rotate the shaft B, to which is secured the cap 2, to which the lever 16 and locking-lever5aresecured. Saidlooking-lever 5, connecting with head 3, as before described, causes the rotation of the sleeve C and cam 6, which compresses the spring through the further agency of the spring-eompressors 7 and 8, thus throwing the points to the opposite track by the rebounding of thespring. Thus it will be seen by this method a superior and more adaptable switch stand is constructed and readily adjusted to meet the requirements.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim is 1. In a railroadswitch stand, the case A, consisting of two parts and provided with a spring-chamber on the outside thereof, having therein the spring E and compressor S, in combination with ahorizontal compressor, 7, and cam 6, secured to the hollow shaft C,sub stantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a railroad-switch stand, the case A, having a detachable base or foot, D, and 'provided with a spring-chamber having the spring E and compressor 8, in combination with a horizontal compressor, 7, and cam 6, secured to the hollow shaft C, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a railroad-switch stand provided with a spri ng-chamber, the detachable cover 10,1itting on the end of' said chamber for receiving the pressure ofthe spring E, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In arailroad-switch stand provided with a spri n g-chamber, the detachable cover 10, fitting on the end of said chamber and provided with an adjusting-screw, 11, for receiving the pressure ofthe spring E, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a railroad-switch stand, the hollow shaft C, journaled in the case A and provided with the head 3, having the notches 4 therein, in combination with the cap 2 and lockinglever 5, the said shaft C being provided with the cam 6 and surrounding the shaft l5,\vhich is provided with the crank 1.

6. In a railroad-switch stand, the cap 2, secured to the shaft B and provided with the lever 16 and locking-lever 5, pivoted thereto and connected by teeth on the periphery of their hubs, one end of the lever 5 fitting into the notches 4 of the head 3, the other end being provided with a loop, 1S, which passes through the slot 19 in the lever 16, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a switch-stand, the crank 1, provided with a loose crank-pin, 12, having an eye in one end thereof, in combination with the adjustable rod 13, passing through said eye and adj usted by the nuts 14, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention we have signed our names, in in presence of two witnesses, this 24th day of December, A. D. 1886.

V. C. MEEKER. THOMAS It. BRO\VN.

Witnesses:

Trios. l1. WILLIAMs, A. A. FRANCK.

IOO 

